Spring compressor



July 16, 1929. su N 1,720,802

SPRING COMPRESSOR Filed Dec. 18, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 'J. SUNNEN SPRING COMPRESSOR July- 16, 1929.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 18, 1926 M m 6 w W a Patented July 16, 1929.

UNITED STATES JOSEPH SUNNEN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SPRING COMPRESSOR.

Application filed December 18, 1926. Serial No. 155,723.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in spring compressors and is particularly designed for use in compressing valve springs of internal combustion engines.

The primary objects of the invention are to provide a device which is compact in size, efiicient in operation, which is of strong construction, and can be economically manu- :l'acturcd.

Other objects of the invention are to pro vide a spring compressor having an adjustable portion so that springs of various lengths can be operated upon.

Still other objects of the invention are to provide a spring compressor having a simple locking means for retaining the jaws of the device in a spring-compressing position so that a suitable spring clip can be placed over the compressed spring and the latter then removed from said spring compressor.

it-h these and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features ol construction and arrangement ct part-s. hereinafter more fully described I and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the device showing the same in open or springreceiving position.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the device in spring-compressing position.

l igure 3 is a top plan view of Figure 2.

Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 1-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a detail vertical cross section taken on line of Figure 2 and showing the means for locking the adjustable stationary jaw.

Figure 6 is a fragmental side elevational view of a. modified torm of the device showing a spring clip applied thereto.

Figure 7 is a transverse section taken on line 77 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a perspective detail view of the clip centering member detachably arranged on one of the jaws.

The present invention is designed for use in compressing springs such as valve springs of internal combustion engines. In replacing valve springs in position in internal combustion engines, a great deal of time and labor is lost due to the fact that the springs have to be compressed before being inserted in position and cannot be conveniently handled. Furthermore, the location of springs on the engine is not very accessible,

and the space between the springs is restricted, rendering the handling of springs rather diflicult.

By means of my improved device, the spring can be readily compressed and retained in compressed position by means of a suitable clip which is designed so that the compressed spring may be readily placed in position on the engine.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, 10 indicates a base member preferably formed by bending a bar rectangular in cross section so as to provide two spaced members 11 united at the forward end as indicated at 12 and having their rear ends connected by a rivet or bolt 14. Operating on this base member is a stationary jaw 15 and a movable jaw 16 each having its jaw portions 15 and 16, respectively, projecting upwardly in opposed relation with each other. Movable jaw 16 has pivotally connected thereto one end of a handle 17 as indicated at 18 a suitable dis tance' above base member 10. A link 19 has one end pivotally mounted on pin or bolt 14 and has its opposite end pivotally connected to hand lever 17 at a point spaced a suitable distance from the fulcrum 18 of said lever 17, as indicated at- 20. Thus when handle 17 is depressed, said handle and link 19 form a toggle joint causing movable jaw 16 to move forwardly toward stationary jaw 15.

The pivotal points 18 and 20 are arranged so as to provide suflicient leverage for operating jaw 16 so that comparatively large springs can be operated with ease by means of said handle 17.

Glen handle 17 is depressed, the parts occupy positions shown in Figure 2, wherein the spring is shown in dotted lines as indicated by A. In order to lock the device in this compressing position against the influence of the compressed spring, a locking member 21 is arranged on base member 10 and is movable into engagement with link 19 when the latter occupies its depressed position.

The engagement of member 21 by link 19 causes said member to be slightly tilted on base member 10 and frictionally engage the latter and prevent upward movement of said link. Member 21 is of substantially inverted U-shape and has its depending portions turned inwardly as indicated at 22 for engagement with the lower edges of bars 11 while the top portion 23 of said U-shaped member is provided with a centrally disposed extension 23" for engaging the upper edge of link 19 which latter is centrally disposed between bars 11. Thus when member 21 is moved forwardly, the extension 23 engages the upper edge of link 19 which latter is slightly curved, thereby causing tilting of member 21 so that the rear portion of top 23 frictionally engages or bites into the upper edges oi bars 11 while'the forward ends of portions 22 frictionally engage or bite into the lower edges of said bars 11. This arrangement forms an effective lock as the force with which the locking member bears against bars 11 is increased in proportion to the pressure exerted by the compressed spring against movable jaw 16.

Various makes of internal combustion engines use valve springs of various lengths and sizes. In order to make a spring compressor adaptable for operating on springs of various lengths, stationary jaw is adjustably mounted on base member 10 so that the distance between the jaws may be increased or decreased to receive springs of different lengths. This adjustment of stationary jaw 15 is accomplished by forming the upper edges of bars 11 with a series of spaced notches 24 in which is adapted to be seated a locking member 25, which latter is carried by jaw 15. This locking member is preferably formed of U-shape having the horizontally disposed portion 25 extending through vertically disposed slots 26 formed in the vertically disposed walls of jaw 15 and adapted to rest in the appropriate notches 2st of bars 11. The parallel portions 25" are disposed externally on each side of jaw 15 and extend beyond slot-s 26 and prevent lateral displacement of locking member To adjust jaw 15, member 25 is moved upwardly until the horizontal portion 25 is out of engagement with the aligned notches 2 1, whereupon said jaw may be shifted longitudinally of base member 10 so as to properly space said jaw 15 from movable jaw 16. hen jaw 15 is in proper position, member 25 is allowed to drop into engagement with the appropriate notches 2 1 thereby locking said jaw in adjusted position.

hen the spring has been compressed between jaws 15 and 16, a clip 27 is placed over the spring so as to retain said spring in compressed position when the latter is removed from the spring compressor. This clip may be of any desired construction, and is shown herein as being formed of a single piece of bar rectangular in cross section and bent into U-shape to provide a handle portion 28 and parallel portions 29. Handle portion 28 is bent preferably at right angles to portions 29 in order to facilitate the manipulation of the clip and permit the easy insertion of the spring in position on the engine. Portions 29 are provided with laterally and inwardly projecting lugs 30 for engaging one end of the spring and the ends of portions 29 are bent inwardly indicated at 31 to engage the opposite end of the spring.

Stationary jaw 15 is provided with a projection 33 which, when said jaw is moved to extreme outer position, strikes the closed end 12 of base member 10, thereby preventing removal of said jaw 15 from member 10 Projection 83 is preferably cut out from a portion of said jaw and is bent upwardly after the jaw is placed on member 10.

Base member 10 is formed of a single piece of bar bent into U-shapc and lever 17 formed in a similar manner. Thus said parts are formed by cutting a strip of material to proper length and no material is wasted.

In order to readily center the clip on the compressed spring, when the latter is disposed in the device, a centering or stop member 34, may be used as shown in the modiiied form disclosed in Figures 7 and 8. This stop member 34: is shown as having laterally projecting wings 35, as being detachably seated in one of the jaws, preferably in jaw 15, there being open slots 36 formed in the inward edges of the vertical walls of said jaw for the reception of said centering member.

The wings are inclined so as to locate the clip substantially in horizontal plane with the axis of the spring. The angle of inclination of said wings is arranged in a predetermined relation with the diameters of various springs, the clip being located at a greater distance from base 10 in correlation with the increase of diameter oi the spring and the consequent increase of the distance between parallel portions 29. The stop member 34 is removable from jaw 15 to facilitate packing of the device and provides a compact package.

A spring compressor of my improved construction is simple in operation, has a wide range of adjustment, and is adapted to operate upon springs of various sizes and lengths and can be positively locked in compressing position.

In the drawings and specification is disclosed the preferred form of my invention, but it is obvious that various changes can be made in my improved spring compressor without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A spring compressor comprising a base member, a stationary jaw mounted thereon. a movable jaw mounted on said base member in opposition to said stationary jaw, said stationary jaw being adjustable longitudinally of said base member to regulate the spring receiving distance between said jaws,

a lever pivotally connected at one end to said movable jaw, and a link having one end in Iixed pivotal connection with said base member and having its opposite end pivotally connected to said lever to form a toggle joint therewith whereby by operating said lever said movable jaw is actuated on said base member relative to said stationary jaw.

2. A spring compressor comprising a base member, a stationary jaw mounted thereon, a movable jaw mounted on said base member in opposition to said stationary jaw, a lever pivotal] y connected at one end to said movable jaw, a link pivotally connected at one end to said base member and having its opposite end pivotally connected to said lever to form a toggle joint therewith whereby by operating said lever said movable jaw is actuated on said base member relative to said stationary jaw, and a locking member operatively moimted on said base member and movable by said link into wedging engagement with said base mem ber and said link for locking said movable jaw in a spring-compressing position.

3. A spring compressor comprising a base member, a stationary jaw mounted thereon, a movable jaw mounted on said base member in opposition to said stationary jaw, a lever pivotally connected at one end to said movable jaw, a link pivotally connected at one end to said base member and having its opposite end pivotally connected to said lever to form a toggle joint therewith whereby by operating said lever said movable jaw is actuated on said base member relative to said stationary jaw, and a locking member slidably mounted on said base member and having a central horizontally disposed extension engageable by said link so as to tilt said locking member and cause the top and bottom portions thereof to be wedged at opposite points against the top and bottom edges, respectively, of said base member.

4. A spring compressor comprising a. base member, a stationary jaw mounted thereon, a movable jaw slidably mounted on said base member in opposed relation to said sta-' tionary jaw, a handle pivotally connected at one end to said movable jaw, a link having a fixed pivotal connection with the rear end of said base member and having the opposite end pivotally connected to said handle at a point spaced from the pivotal end thereof whereby the actuation of said handle causes movement of said movable jaw longitudinally of said base member, and a locking member embracing said base member and slidably mounted thereon and having an extension engageable by the upper end of said link whereby when said movable jaw is actuated int-o spring-compressing position the tension of the compressed spring causes said link to exert pressure against said extension of said locking member, causing the latter to frictionally engage said base member and lock said link in depressed position.

5. A spring compressor comprising a base member, astationary jaw mounted thereon, a movable jaw mounted on said base member in opposed relation to said stationary jaw, means for operating said movable jaw, and a locking member slidably positioned on said base member and engageable by said means to occupy depressed position and frictionally engage said base member and thereby lock said means in spring-compressing position.

6. A spring compressor comprising a base member, a jaw stationarily mounted thereon, a movable jaw mounted on said base member in opposed relation to said stationary jaw, means for adjusting said stationarily mounted jaw longitudinally of said base member to vary the operating distance between said jaws, means for operating said movable jaw, and a locking member slidably positioned on' said base member and engageable by said means when the latter is in depressed position to cause said locking member to frictionally engage said base member and thereby lock said means in spring-compressing posit-ion.

7. A. spring compressor comprising in combination a longitudinally disposed base member, a stationary jaw mounted thereon, a movable jaw mounted on said base member in opposed relation to said stationary jaw, a lever PlXOtilllY t'ulcrumed on said movable jaw, a link connection fulcrumed at one end on said base member rearwardly of said movable jaw and pivotally connected at the opposite end to said lever rearwardly of said jaw, said lever and said link forming a toggle connection for operatin said jaw on said base member, and a displaceable locking member mounted in said stationary jaw and adapted to enter into interengagement with said base member to lock said stationary jaw in position, said locking member being idisplaceable to permit adjustment of said stationary jaw on said base member.

8. A spring compressor comprising in combination a longitudinally disposed base member. a stationary jaw mounted thereon, a movable jaw mounted on said base member in opposed relation to said stationary jaw, a lever pivotally tulcrumed on said movable jaw, a link connection fulcrumed at one end on said base member rearwardly of said movable jaw and pivotally connected at the opposite end to said ley'er rearwardly of said jaw, said lever and said link forming a toggle connection for operating said jaw on said. base member, a displaceable locking member mounted in said stationary jaw and adapted to enter into interengagement with LIL) said base member to lock said stationary stationary jaw on said base member, and

a projection on said stationary aw engageable by the corresponding end of said base member for locking said stationary jaw against withdrawal from said base member.

9. A spring compressor comprising in combination a base member formed of a single bar bent into U-shape to provide two parallel spaced portions closed at one end, a pin for connecting the opposite ends of said parallel portions, a pair of opposed jaws each of which is formed of a single piece of material bent to provide a box-shape portion for encircling the parallel portions of said base member and terminating in upwardly presented extensions adapted to bear against the ends of a spring to be compressed, means for rendering one of said jaws stationary on said base member, a lever pivotally connected at one end to the other jaw and having'its opposite end tern'iinating in a handle, and a link disposed centrally between the parallel portions of saidbase member and having one end tulcrumed on said pin and its opposite end. pivotally connected to said lever, thereby forming a toggle joint operable by said handle for moving the jaw associated with said lever relative to said stationary jaw.

10. A spring compressor comprising a base member, a stationary jaw mounted thereon, a movable jaw mounted on said base niember in opposed relation with said stationary jaw, means for actuating said movable jaw, and a stop member in one of said jaws and having portions extending later ally therefrom and adapted to be engaged by and center a clip when the latter is slipped over compressed spring.

11. A spring compresor comprising a base member, a stationary jaw mounted thereon, a movable jaw mounted on said base member in opposed relation with said sta tionary jaw, means for actuating said 1novable jaw, and a stop member in one of said jaws and having'laterally projecting po tions, inclined upwardly therefrom in predetermined angles to receive and position a spring clip in accordance with the diameter of the spring.

12. A spring compressor comprising in combination a base member formed of two parallel spaced portions, a pair of opposed jaws each of which is formed of a single piece otmaterial bent to provide a boxshaped portion for encircling said base meniber, said aws being adapted to receive therebetween a spring to be compressed, one of said jaws being stationary on said base member and the other movable, and a oint ed connection pivotally connected at one end to said base member and pivotally connected at the opposite end to said movable jaw, thereby forming a toggle joint operable to move said movable jaw relative to said stationary jaw.

13. A spring compressor comprising in combination a base member, a pair of opposed jaws each of wihch is formed of a single piece of material bent to provide a box-shaped portion for encircling said base membe' and terminating in upwardly pre-- sented extensions for receiving the ends of a spring to be compressed, means for ad justably fixing one of said jaws on said base member, the other of said jaws being movable thereon, and means for operating said movable jaw relative to said stationary jaw, said means including link connections pivotally connected to said base member and to said movable aw and a lever for actuating said link connections.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature this 13th day of December, 1926.

JOSEPH SUNNEW. 

